Clinics will now file sick leave attestation for patients, MoHAP says
Hospitals and clinics licensed by the Ministry of Health and Prevention will submit sick leave attestation requests on patients' behalf, and eligible requests will move to approval without a new application.
Patients who get a sick note from a hospital or clinic licensed by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) no longer have to apply to have it attested themselves. The ministry said on Wednesday that the facility that issued the leave will now send the attestation request for the patient, moving the first step of the process from the individual to the clinic.
The update covers two services: the attestation of sick leave and medical reports, and the approval of sick leave and patient companion leave. Under the new set-up, the healthcare facility files the request directly with the ministry for the patient and, where it applies, for the relative who stayed with them. Requests that meet the required conditions then pass to the approval stage by themselves, with no second application.
That automatic link between attestation and approval applies to employees of the federal government and of the local governments of Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, within the ministry's approved controls. Facilities can also now submit a companion's leave at the same time as the patient's own sick leave.
Abdullah Ahli, the ministry's acting assistant undersecretary for support services, said the aim is a service built around the customer, with linked processes and data shared between government bodies so that fewer steps depend on the person. The ministry presents the change as part of the UAE government's Zero Bureaucracy objectives.
Until now the patient had to start the attestation request after receiving the sick note. The announcement did not mention any change to fees or deadlines for the service, and it concerns facilities licensed by MoHAP; it said nothing about clinics licensed by other health authorities, such as the Dubai Health Authority.
If you are treated at a MoHAP-licensed hospital or clinic, ask the facility to submit the attestation for you when it issues your sick leave, and to include your companion's leave if a relative stayed with you. Federal employees and staff of the Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah governments should see the approval follow without a fresh request. If you work elsewhere, or your sick note comes from a clinic under another health authority, check with your HR team which route your note still needs.